Log trimming machine



' June 23, 1931. w, T, RICH 1,811,155

LOG TRIMMING MACHINE Filed @July 26, 1929 4 sheetsheet 1 ul'lmlltlllll'l /3 CICUHIII-l.`

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w. T.R1c11 LOG TRIMMING MACHINE Filed July 26. 1929 4 Sheets-Shes?. 2

LOG TRIMMING MACHINE Filed July 26, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 23, 1931-. w. T. RlcH LOG TRIMMING MACHINE Filed July 2e/192s 4: sheets-sheet 4 lll@ Patented June 23, 1931 UNITED"g STATES WILLLAM r. RICH, or LUFKIN, frnxas Los 'rRrMMING MACHINE Appucation 'mea July 26, 1929. serial No. 381,227.

This invention relates to improvements in log trlmming or debarkmg machines of the character set forth in my U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,715,949, dated June 4, 1929.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the above kind which is adapted for use in simultaneously trimming two logs while lying on the 1 ground.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a multiple log trimming niachine of the above kind which is simple and durable in construction and eiiicient and reliable in operation. 'v

Another object is to provide a machine of the above kind embodying a power-driven cutter for each log, and means to adjust the cutters at diiferent angles relative to the axis of the log or the directionofA travel of the invention.

machine, whereby logs of different sizes may be effectively trimmed.

` Another object is to providev a machine of the above kind embodying a vpair oi' logtrimming y instrumentalities connected -for free lndependent vertical movement to s1- multaneously operate on logs of different sizes, and wherein said instrumentalities have independent ,vertically yieldable cutters adapted to follow irregularities of the log surfaces. y

In the drawings;

Figure lis a top plan view of a log trimming machine embodying the present,

Figure 2 is `a bottom plan view thereof. Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 4 is a transverse section on linev n l the cutter with the log. I' Flach/cutter is of 4 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a transverseA section through one of the cutters on line 5 5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section substantiallyA on line 6-6 of Figure5.

Figure 7 is a cross section of'- one ofthe cutters on line 7-7 of Figure 5; and

Figure 8 is a cross section of one of the guiding and supporting rollers on line 8,-8 oFi ure2. Re erring in detail to the drawings, the present invention consists of `a pair of log trimming instrumentalties connected 1n side by side relation for independent or relative vertical movement, and each embodying supporting and guiding rollersl 5k and a powerdriven cutter 6. As shown, eachinstrumentality includesV a frame embodying an elongated plate 7 having depending pairs of arms 8 in which the'rollers 5 are journaled", said rollers being arranged in spaced tandem relation and disposedwith their axes transverse to the frame. The rollers 5 are of taperedV concave form to generallycon-` form to the cross sectional contour of the log and to eifectively guide the frame along the log` when caused to travel thereon during the trimming operation. For traction purposes, the rollers 5. are groovedlongitudinally and circumferentially as at 9.

Rigid with and projecting rearwardly from the rear end of each plate 7 is a crane or cutter suspendingV arm 10. Flach` cutter 6 is journaled in the legs of an inverted U- shaped 'bracket 11 whose intermediateV portion carries a rigid upstanding stem 12 freely slidable and rotatable `in the rear end of the associated arm 10 and'maintained therein by means of a nut member 13 threaded on the stem 12 above the arm 10.' Thus, the cutter 6 is arranged with its axis horizontally and transverse to the frame. VBut by turning the bracket 11 about the aXis of the stem 12, said cutter may be adjusted to different 'angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the log or the direction. of travel of the machine. Further, by turning the nut member 13 relative to stem 12, the cutter may be vertically adjusted so as to regulate the depth 'of cut and properly engage concavo-cylindrical form and .preferably composed of a longitudinally recessedbody secured on a shaft 14 and having curved blades 15 held in the recesses by means of wedge strips 16 and fastening screws 17 as shown in Figures 5 and'7. The bearings of shaftY 14 are vertically movable'in slots 18 provided in the legs of bracket 11 so that the cutter 6 may yield vertically to pass over irregularities of the log surface;

A motor 19 is secured on the plate 7 of each trimming unit or instrumentality and operatively connected to the cutter 6 of the latter by means of a longitudinal flexible shaft 2O and bevel gearings 21 and 22, suitable hangers 23 being provided for the ends of shaft 20.

To connect the trimming units or instrumentalities in side by side relation to operate simultaneously on two adjacent logs, the plates 7 thereof are hinged together at the adjacent sides of the same as indicated at 24. This permits relative vertical movement of the units to insure proper opera- *n tion on logs of different sizes or where the logs differ in size at opposed points.

A longitudinal horizontal adjusting screw 25 is journaled in the adjacent upper ends of pairs of links 26 which diverge downwardly and are hinged to the adjacent sides of the plates 7. In this way, the screw 25 may move vertically so as to not interfere with relative swinging of the plates 7 at the hinges 24, although the screw is effectively mounted in place for use in angularly adjusting both cutters in a manner which will presently become apparent. A nut member 27 has threaded engagement with the adjusting screw 25, and rods 28 and 29 conneet opposite sides of the nut member with the inner sides of the brackets 11 of the respective cutters In this way, turning of the screw 25 will cause longitudinal movement of nut member 27 and throughv the medium of the Vrods 28 and 29, the cutters will be turned about the axes of stems 12 so as to adjust the angle of said cutters relative to the longitudinal axis'of the logs or the direction of travel of the machine on the latter during the trimming operation.v The cutters are thus adjusted to operate eectively on logs of different sizes or diameters, and this adjustment is permitted by allowing sufficient slack in the flexible shafts 2O as illustrated inFigure 3.- The screw 25 has a handle 30 at its forward end for use in manually turning the same, while the rods 28 and 29 have substantially universal connection with the nut member 27 and brackets 11, as at 31 and 32, so as to freely allow the vertical yielding of screw 25 and the movement of the parts 11 and 27 when changing the angle of the cutters.

In use, the machine is placed on the two logs which are placed in side by side relation, as shown in Figures 3 and 4L, each of the cutters 6 being adjusted into engagement with one of the logs by turning the nut members 13 until the shafts 14 are positioned intermediate the ends of the slots 18 of the brackets 11. The screw 25 is then turned to adjust the cutters at the proper angle to thev log for obtaining a full cut. The motors 19 areV then thrown into operation to cause rapid rotation of the cutters and debarking or trimming of the logs as thel machine is moved along the latter. By

partly turning the logs and repeating this operation, the entire circumferences of the logs will be properly and quickly trimmed while lying on the ground. Naturally, the angle of the cutters may be changed as desired during each operation where the logs taper to an appreciable degree.

Minor changes are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

lVhat I claim as new is:

1. In a portable log trimming machine, a logV trimming instrumentality including an elongated frame provided with supporting rollers to promote travel of and guide the same along .the log, said rollers beingl of concave form and arranged in spaced' tandem relation, an arm rigid with and projecting rearwardly from the frame, a bracket suspended from said arm, a horizontal concave vertically movable cutting cylinder journaled in said bracket in position to debark or trim the circumference of. the log, manually operable means four` turning said bracket to angularly adjustA said cutter cylinder relative to the line of travel of the machine, and driving means for said cutter cylinder. o

2. In a portable log trimmingmachine, a'

log trimming instrumentality lincludingv an elongated frame provided with supporting rollers to promote travel .of andguide the same along the log, concave form and arranged in spaced tandem relation, an arm rigid with and -projecting rearwardly from the frame, a bracket suspended from'said arm, a horizontal concave vertically movable cutting cylinder journaled in said. bracket. in position to debark or trim the circumference of the log, manually operable means for turning said bracket to angularly adjust said cutter cylinder relative to the line of travel of the machine, and driving means forvsaid cutter cylinder, said cutter cylinder being yieldable vertically relative to said bracket to pass over irregularitiesof the log surface.

3. In a portable logtrimming machine, a log trimming instrumentality including'an elongatedV frame provided with supporting rollers to promote travel of andguidey the same along the log, said rollers being of concave form and arranged in spaced tandem relation, an arm rigid with and projecting rearwardly from. the frame, a: bracket suspended from said arm, a horizontal concave vertically movable cutting .cylinder journaled in said'bracket in positiontode'- vbark or trim the circumferencey of the log,

manually operable means for turning said bracket to angularly adjust. said. cutter cylinder relative to the line of travel of the machine, and .driving means forsaid cutter cylinder, and manuallyA operable means yto vertically adjust saidv bracket and cutter said rollers being ofy cylinder relative to said arm engage the cutter cylinder with regulate the depth of cut.

4. In a portable log trimming machine, a log trimming instrumentality including an elongated frame provided with supporting rollers to promote travel of and guide the Same along the log, said rollers being of concave form and arranged in spaced tandem relation, an arm rigid with and projecting rearwardly from the frame, a bracket suspended from said arm, a horizontal concave vertically movable cutting cylinder journaled in said bracket in position to debark or trim the circumference of the log, manually operable means for turning said tQ properly the log and bracket to angularly adjust said cutter cylinder relative to the line of travel of the machine, and driving means for said cutter cylinder, said driving means embodying a motor mounted on the frame and a flexible shaft geared to the motor and the cutter cylinder and of a length to permit the angular adjustment of said cutter cylinder.

5. A portable log trimming machine comprising two Similar log trimming instrumentalities connected in side by side relation for relative vertical movement about a horizontal axis and in a direction transverse to the vertical movement on a vertical axis.

6. A portable log trimming machine comprising two similar log trimming instrumentalities connected in side by side relation for relative vertical movement, and each embodying a power driven cutter cylinder adjustable on a vertical axis, and supporting rollers for guiding Said instrumentalities along the log.

7. A portable log trimming machine comprising two similarlog trimming instrumentalities connected in side by side relation for relative vertical movement, each of said instrumentalities embodying a frame provided with guiding and supporting rollers and carrying a power-driven cutter cylinder angularly adjustable on a vertical axis relative to the line of travel of the machine, and manually operable means to simultaneously angularly adjust the cutter cylinders of both instrumentalities.

8. A portable log trimming machine comprising two similar log trimming instrumentalities connected in side by side relation for relative vertical movement, said instrumentalities being adapted to travel along the respective ones of a pair of adjacent logs to trim the same, and each embodying a power-driven cutter cylinder adjustable on a vertical axis and movable vertically for passing over irregularities of the log surface.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

WILLIAM T. RICH. 

